Business Analysis – to Maturity and Beyond

It is not entirely clear when the terms 'business analysis' and 'business analyst' first entered general use. Originally they weren't used in connection with Information Systems-related work at all but were used in the context of financial business analysis. They have now, to a large extent, supplanted terms such as 'systems analyst' and 'organization and methods analyst'; it could be said that Business Analysis as we understand it today is the offspring – or merger – of these two older disciplines.

There is no disputing that Business Analysis has been around for over two decades, so this should mean that the discipline has now entered a period of maturity. As a consultant and trainer, I have met hundreds, possibly thousands, of business analysts and they have provided some invaluable feedback on their various roles and responsibilities. Over the years, many business analysts have reported dissatisfaction with the way their role is perceived in their organization – in particular a lack of clarity about the nature of the role and the desire to use their skills more effectively. Whilst the work has ranged from developing process models (as an end in itself sometimes) to specifying IT system requirements (including technical specifications – a job that may be more suited to systems analysts), the business analysts have felt that exactly where they fit into the overall process of business improvement is always variable and often unclear.

However, in recent years there has been a step change as increasing numbers of highly skilled and experienced business analysts gain additional responsibility and influence in their organizations. The Business Analysis Maturity Model was developed by AssistKD to reflect the different levels of business analyst work, showing the trajectory for the development of the business analyst's role along two dimensions:

Scope – this represents the breadth of the business analyst's role, varying from a specific focus on improving an individual system, to a wider examination of business processes and, ultimately, to considering improvements across an entire area of the organization.

Authority – this refers to the degree of influence wielded by the business analyst and the growth of their ability to influence the thinking of the management of the organization.

The first level, at the bottom-left of the model, represents business analysis requirements engineering work where initial options have been considered, decisions have been made and the scope of the project has been defined. At the middle level, the business analysts are working cross-functionally, and work on improving the business processes. By the top-right of the model, the business analyst will be working with senior management to consider the range of business improvement options available to the organization, prioritize the portfolio of projects and ensure that the analysis work focuses on achieving the business objectives. At this level, the business analysts are working as internal consultants, taking a more holistic approach to business change.

The development of different levels of business analysis has been formalized in many organizations with an increasing number developing a mature BA practice staffed by highly-skilled and experienced professionals. Typically the business analysts hold professional certifications that have provided them with a range of techniques and approaches to deploy as required by each assignment. The practice has established standards and there is clarity about the contribution that business analysts can make. In these organizations, the senior business analysts guide and mentor the more junior analysts and there is a separation between the levels of work the analysts can perform. The senior business analysts recognize that they have the ability to analyze business problems, looking for root causes rather than just leaping to a quick, and often less effective, software solution. They are able to decide how the analysis work should be conducted on a project because they understand the range of potential approaches and techniques, and when it would be useful to adopt them. At the most experienced level, they are also able to advise senior management on the priority of projects.

However, there is still a sense, in some organizations, that the expertise offered by the analysts is often ignored. While business managers are there to manage and make decisions they may not be best placed to analyze the factors contributing to a problematic, or less than effective, business area. Senior managers may be too remote from the day-to-day work to see where bottlenecks and problems are occurring and front-line managers are often too close to the action to take an objective view. And, they are all pretty busy carrying out their day-to-day work.

Aligned to this, there also appears to be limited recognition of the range of skills the business analysts possess. Often the initial 'early engagement' work is conducted without analyst input, running the risk of projects that will deliver only limited improvements or may even fail to address the underlying causes of problems.

Yet, this is where the internal business analysts have the potential to offer real value to organizations. They can offer an objective view that is based upon an analytical approach. They can bridge the different aspects of business performance, not least of which involves possessing a good understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the organization's IT systems. They can take a holistic view, understanding how all of the elements of the business situation need to work collectively in order to really achieve a successful result. In the current economic situation, they also tend to be less expensive than external consultants.

Perhaps the lack of recognition derives from where business analysts sit in the organization. There is regular debate about the pros and cons of locating the business analysts in 'IT' or in 'the business', often reflected in frequent, cyclical reorganizations. Perhaps we could apply the principles of business analysis to this question and challenge the received wisdom, by asking whether there are other options. There are some organizations where the business analysts sit within functions dealing with business strategy or business change. These may be preferable as they are closer to the business objectives and provide a place for business analysis within the business change lifecycle rather than separate from it.

Ultimately it would be interesting to picture another possibility – to create a Business Analysis specialism that stands separately. A specialism staffed by highly-qualified professionals, with a defined career development path and a corresponding level of authority within the organization. If we develop this vision, this specialism would be led by a Director of Business Analysis or perhaps a Chief Business Analysis Officer (CBAO) with an allocated budget for ongoing business analysis work and the authority to insist that business analysts are used to their greatest extent. If business analysis is a mature discipline and the expertise is available in organizations, surely this is a logical move. In my role as managing director of AssistKD, I can attest to the value business analysis skills bring, so perhaps in the future we may see the first CEO with business analysis expertise. Now that really would aid business improvement!

Debra Paul

Debra Paul has over 30 years’ experience in business analysis and business change. She has worked as a consultant, manager and trainer, and is now managing director of Assist Knowledge Development Ltd. She is the co-author and editor of three books: Business Analysis, Business Analysis Techniques and The Human Touch. Debra has worked with numerous organizations to help them develop their business analysis capability. Debra is a Chartered Fellow of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and is the Chief Examiner for the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis.

Comments

Thanks for another informative web site. Where else could I get that type of info written in such a
perfect manner? I’ve a venture that I’m simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out
for such info.